The NWPL Story
A gift from Dr. Edward H. Williams, the Norman Williams Public Library was constructed in 1883-1884 on the site of the home of his parents, Norman and Mary Williams. Designed by the prominent architectural firm Wilson Brothers of Philadelphia, Vermont stone was used in the construction: Grey Barre granite, Monkton quartzite (redstone), and limestone on the exterior, Vermont marble on the interior. A noted Woodstock metal worker, Oscar Farwell, created the original iron and brass fixtures. The new library was an immediate and somewhat overwhelming success, and in 1901, Dr. Williams funded the addition of the double-wing transept addition to the rear of the building.
In 1999-2000, NWPL undertook major renovation, restoration, expansion, and automation projects. After restoring the aged facility, the basement area was totally remodeled and transformed into a well-lit, comfortable area for children, teens, and their families. A mezzanine level was constructed to accommodate study carrels and our event space. Administrative offices and the Vermont History Room were built in the former attic space. The original children’s area became the Reading Room. This transformation tripled the usable space from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet. When the new facility reopened in September 2000, the card catalog and circulation system were automated, and the building was ADA accessible.
Today, NWPL is a modern facility that respects its cultural, historical, and architectural histories while providing the best of contemporary library services to the greater Woodstock region. A 501(c)-3, not-for-profit corporation, the library relies on fundraising to cover operating costs, with about a third of our budget funded by town taxes.
The library maintains more than 50,000 items in its book, music, and film collections for children and adults. With these local offerings and access to interlibrary loans as well as digital content, NWPL has one of the highest per capita circulation rates in Vermont.